Jul 2, 2009 7:18 pm US/Eastern
Economy Scares Moms Bound For Maternity Leave
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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With a faltering economy, many first-time moms say they're afraid to take off for maternity leave. (File)
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In many countries, women are entitled up to one year maternity leave with as much as six months full pay, but in the United States expectant mothers are only guaranteed by law up to 12 weeks unpaid leave.
Now with a faltering economy, many first-time moms say they're afraid to take any time off at all.
"My friends are literally afraid to take maternity leave because they don't know if they will have the same job or the same title," Rashmi Krishnarag says.
Joanna Cohen is afraid of losing a job in this economy after seeing many women lose their jobs after returning from leave.
"I've seen women in the workplace where they come back to work at their three month mark and then shortly thereafter they lose their job," Cohen says.
Carol Evans with
Working Mothers Magazine says under the Family Medical Leave Act, women are guaranteed their same salary, but not necessarily the same title and position they held before leaving. That possibility has many women staying at work right up until they're about to give birth and others returning early.
"We did a survey and a full third said that they are going to take less time off during their maternity leave because of the economy," Evans says.
In other countries like Canada and Australia, women receive full pay for up to one year. But the U.S. is one of the few industrialized nations that has no national policy on paid maternity leave.
Evans says a similar policy cannot wait.
"There is no reason why we cannot get behind that and have an administration support it," Evans says.
The insecurity is keeping Sandhya Nankani on the edge as she approaches the birth of her child.
"Knowing that there's some sort of uncertainty forces you to be on pins and needles at a time when there are enough uncertainties in your life," Nankani says.
Experts advise talking to your employer about your position before going out on maternity leave. Expectant mothers may even consider checking in with the office while out on leave to stay connected.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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